The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is set to graduate 10,820 students during its 38th convocation ceremony, scheduled to run from April 2 to April 12, 2026.
Vice Chancellor, Offiong Effanga Offiong, disclosed this during a pre-convocation press briefing, revealing that 52 students achieved first class honours, while some postgraduate students earned distinctions.
According to him, the convocation will feature the award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates, postgraduate diplomas, master’s and doctoral degrees, alongside honorary recognitions.
Out of the total graduates, 9,173 will receive first degrees, 152 diplomas, and 1,495 postgraduate qualifications. Among the first degree holders, 52 made first class, 2,390 earned second class upper division, 5,819 obtained second class lower division, 666 graduated with third class, while 246 had pass degrees.
A total of 463 doctoral (PhD) candidates will be conferred with their degrees on April 12 at the Senator Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre within the university.
The convocation programme began on April 2 with a press conference and will end with a thanksgiving service at St. Paul Catholic Church, UNICAL.
As part of the activities, a Research Fair and Exhibition will take place on April 7 at the Hogan Bassey Parking Lot, showcasing innovations and research outputs across faculties, with investors and organisations expected to attend.
A convocation meeting is scheduled for April 8 at the Senator Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, bringing together alumni and staff to discuss the institution’s growth.
The convocation lecture, titled “Redefining National Security in an Era of Endemic Insecurity: The Role of Tertiary Institutions,” will be delivered on April 9 by Garba Ayodeji Wahab.
Later that evening, a command performance will be held at the Chinua Achebe Arts Theatre.
The main convocation ceremony for the award of diplomas, first degrees, and master’s degrees will take place on April 10 at the Abraham Ordia Stadium, followed by a gala night for PhD graduands and their supervisors.
Activities will continue on April 11 with the award of PhDs, honorary degrees, and the launch of an endowment fund, before concluding on April 12 with a thanksgiving service.